West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-12-08
A MEXICAN DICK TURPIN

Mr.. Edgar Wood had two thousand
silver dollars in ten dollar rolls nicely
packed I'm a valise with n few toilet
articles, aud twelve thousand dolla i'm
bank notes and bills Of exchange snuply
scwed into a thin belt worn about his
person. In an outside belt. elegantly
embroidered, he wore IA supcrbly icwe cd
revolver warranted TO he u. cful ms n
weapon at long range, in the hand of :,
sell i-collectcd man resting under safe
shelter.
AS TO other personal furniture. his com
Portable figure was ado ned with fine
gold watch. possessing a national repu-
tlton for beauty and value throughout
the Rcpublic of Mexico, and hat
covered with gold lace and bangles that
made 1t the envy of all the bcaux in
town.
Under these conditions Mr.. Edrar
Wood entered the ten mule stage. that
stood IN the p0tio OF the Hotel Iturbidc.
for trip down the country TO pay off
three thousand laborcrs months wages
The stage started out amid the usual
hubbub The diver gathered up his
lines, shouted at all the mules topether
and AZ each mule by name. The assist
ant driver seized the whip and added its
Tcsounding crack 10 his vociferous en-
treaties and drnunciations. The two
outriders ran along tho sides of the team.
shouted, and sworc, and pelled the mule
with stones, while ten bows OF cow-bclls.
suspended above the ten collars added
their clangor TO the confusion. and the
whole cOrtege rollcl over the toughest
cooble-stonc pavement on the American
continent, Awakening an angry city from
its comfortable s'umbcrs.
lhe wealthy contra tor was aloIe that
morning, and he occupied every corner
of the stage in such rapid succession and
varied positions that, il the CITY of
Mexico had been twice as broad rs il
was, he must have been n disagrceable
Jelly before reaching the suburbs. As it
was, however the grand exhibition of
style and enterprise was soon over. and
the team settled down TO the comfortable
habit of the country, very slow trot on
rather soft roads, while the PASSENGER
settled himself in the corner, lighted a
Vera Cruz cigar, and began TO indulge in
the pl asurcs OF imagination.
this month";" he cons dcrcd, "will
cost me twenty thousand dollars for
which outlay the Government paws me
enc hundred thouslnd dollars. which is
eighty thousand dollars clear gain. In
two more | shall he in good trim. and
then shall ask oil Jun cz for Emilia.
think she nd nired me last nipht when
said my adieu;" and he looked at his
pistol, his fine watch, and elegant hit.
and-a rife ball wAistlcd through the
coach window, fol ow q by command
Of "Pararsc!" thllD.
There is no dis ussing such an order
given under such circumstances.
1t was not possible for Mr.. Wood to
say just Low he looked, bur he felt very
pa.e when pleasant, gcntlcmauly voice
at the window inquired Have | the
honor OF addressing Scnor Edgaro
Woodl"
THAT is my name, sir"
'Ah, Eon Edgaro, / am so sorry to
have to mole3t you in your journey, but
won't you do me the favor 10 alight for a
momcntF,
Now, II there was one quality on
which that gentleman prided himself
more than on another, it was the su
periorlty OF his manners. lie was known
as the polite American Of Mexico, and
so, when addressed q simple request i'm
such courteous terms, he was f1in tooou.
ply.
lie therefore alghted, and tried to do
so promptly, but his motions were not
so graceful as usual there seemed
tremulOus excitement, almost slapger.
IN his movements, when he looked about
him.
-Four men, armed with cutlasscs, rifles.
and rcvolvers, stood ready TO receive him
The upper half Of each face was covered
with a black mask. They were evidently
natives save one-whosc head. broader
than the others al the temples and ruddv
face below the mask, ending i'm thin.
frou ly, tow colorcd goatcc seemed TO
indicate an Engl shman. Mr.. Wood
noting him carefully, thought he had
seen him before, but failed In every at
tempt 70 place him.
"SenOr Wood" said the spokesman
advancing, 81 am pleased to meet YOU.
and regret that you are not abe TO re ip.
rOCatc the cordial sentiments I entertain
for you. must say, Amiguillo. youwclr
a charming hat, and such things are 10
common TO you that am sure there will
be no objection to m exchange. Sec
what poor thing wear and sounsuited
70 my years and position il society It
hts welli too. And also Scnor Wood
you are "a d to p) scss an ex client watch
that, sir, would be an extremely con
venient article TO have, In my profession.
that may be prompt in meeting the
stage, and thus avoid tire some WATCHING
] will accept IT, with your permission.
BMr. Wood was rapidly learning 10
adapt himself 10 circumstances. lie
knew he must submit 20 being stripped.
so. handing over tho watch with the best
grace possible, hc said, with a smile and
bow 'May ] present YOU with
pistol, as COOL as there is in the re-
public, except your own"
'Ah, scnor now you nattcr me: I
accept 1t In your nam2 Amiguilo. And
also, senor l admire your coat, let us